For Immediate Release
Smartphone Users Most Concerned About Data Transmission Security, Viruses and Attacks on Corporate Network
Preliminary Results of FierceWireless-Bluefire Wireless Security Survey Indicate Growing Use of Handheld Devices for More Sophisticated Applications
Las Vegas, NV April 4, 2006 — Corporate users of smartphones and converged handheld devices say they are most concerned about viruses and attacks on their wireless networks, and about the integrity of data transmitted over those networks, according to preliminary results of FierceMarkets’ FierceWireless-Bluefire Wireless Security Survey released today at CTIA Wireless.
The top wireless applications and functions cited include corporate e-mail, web-based e-mail, and voice communications, with significant numbers of respondents reporting the use of other sophisticated applications, including web access, SMS or MMS, and remote access to corporate networks and databases.
Altogether, more than 80% of the more than 1,500 respondents who have completed the survey to date said their organizations’ use of handheld devices has increased over the past two years, and 85% indicated that those devices should require security protection.
Half said that “viruses or attacks on the wireless corporate network” represented their #1 concern, with another one-third placing “security of data during transmission over wireless or cellular networks” at the top of their list of worries.
In terms of specific wireless applications, majorities of respondents indicated that they are “very concerned” regarding security of their corporate e-mail, as well as remote access to their corporate networks, including the use of shared files, database access and the like. Right behind these concerns: access to web-based e-mail (cited by 46% of respondents); CRM (40%) and web access (30%).
“The survey clearly indicates that even as smartphone and wireless network use explodes, customers continue to be concerned about security breaches, especially when using wireless broadband connections,” said Mark Komisky, CEO of Bluefire Security Technologies, a developer of security solutions designed for mobile handheld devices, which partnered with the leading wireless industry online publication, FierceWireless, to administer the survey.
“FierceMarkets is pleased to advance market research on important topics like wireless security,” said Jeff Giesea, President of FierceMarkets. “We look forward to the continued work with Bluefire to complete the survey and provide final results in the near future.”
The survey was distributed to subscribers of FierceWireless and its sister online publication, IT-Wireless, in late March. Respondents to date represent a range of organizations and sectors, including telecommunications, information technology, professional services, manufacturing, financial services and government.
The FierceWireless-Bluefire Wireless Security Survey, available here, will continue to accept responses through April 2006. Respondents can enter for a chance to win one of a number of Motorola Q smartphone, compliments of Bluefire Security Technologies.
About Bluefire Security Technologies, Inc.
Bluefire Security Technologies provides a complete security solution specifically designed for mobile handheld devices. The Bluefire Mobile Security® Suite is the industry’s only fully integrated security solution including authentication, encryption, and integrity monitoring, firewall, logging and central management. Bluefire enables the secure deployment and use of handhelds across the enterprise by allowing handheld devices to be secured as part of the IT network infrastructure. Bluefire Security Technologies recently won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 - Maryland Award.
Bluefire Mobile Security® solutions support the Microsoft Windows (WM) 2003, Windows Mobile 5.0 and Palm operating systems; are available directly from Bluefire and Software Spectrum in the United States, and internationally through Ubitexx GmbH (Germany) and Synergy Software Systems (UAE); and are certified by Cingular Wireless.
For more information email info@bluefiresecurity.com or call (410) 637-8160.
Media Contacts:
- Bluefire
- Amy Garland
- (410) 637-8160
- agarland@bluefiresecurity.com